Buying a new car can often feel like navigating a maze filled with confusing pricing and high-pressure sales tactics. Like many car buyers, I was looking for a straightforward and transparent process. Initially drawn to the Ford X-Plan for its pre-negotiated pricing, I thought I was prepared for a hassle-free experience. However, my journey took an unexpected turn, revealing that even with programs like the X-Plan, there’s room for negotiation and surprises, both good and bad. This is my personal “Aaa Buy A Car Program Review” of sorts, focusing on how I navigated the car buying process and ended up with a deal I hadn’t anticipated.
My sights were set on a Ford Focus, a practical and economical choice for my needs. It was late in the model year, and Ford was offering attractive incentives on top of the X-Plan pricing, making it seem like the perfect opportunity to buy. Armed with my X-Plan eligibility, I walked into the dealership expecting a quick and easy transaction at the pre-arranged price. My assumption was that the “aaa buy a car program review” for X-Plan would be overwhelmingly positive, focusing on simplicity and savings.
However, reality quickly diverged from my expectations. The exact model I wanted wasn’t available at the dealership. Immediately, the salesperson attempted to steer me towards a higher trim level, loaded with features I neither wanted nor needed. This classic upselling tactic is a common part of the car buying experience, and it’s crucial to stay firm about your preferences.
Naturally, I inquired about the possibility of a dealer trade to locate the specific car I was looking for. What followed was a performance of fake phone calls to other dealerships. The salesperson made a show of checking inventory, but it felt more like theater than genuine effort. After a while, he returned, claiming that no cars with my desired specifications were available.
At this point, I was ready to leave. I thanked him for his time, acknowledging the “effort” (or rather, the performance), and started to walk away. It was then that the salesperson asked me to wait and disappeared into the back, only to reappear with another figure – the sales manager.
The sales manager introduced himself and reiterated the common end-of-model-year scarcity narrative, suggesting that I was limited to what was currently on the lot. I explained that the available inventory didn’t meet my requirements and that I would simply look elsewhere.
Then came the predictable yet pivotal question: “So what can I do to get you into that car today?” Having mentally moved on from this dealership, I decided to make a somewhat audacious offer, half expecting it to be dismissed. “Well,” I said, “if you could give me the higher trim car for the same X-Plan price I would have paid for the base model I wanted, and if you can beat the interest rate I’m already pre-approved for at my bank, then we have a deal.”
To my absolute astonishment, the sales manager immediately agreed! Just like that, I had a deal that was even better than the standard X-Plan pricing. While my initial “aaa buy a car program review” focused on the expected X-Plan benefits, I was now in uncharted territory, negotiating beyond the program’s intended structure.
The deal wasn’t entirely perfect. They managed to include VIN etching, a service I didn’t request and hadn’t noticed pre-printed on the contract. While it wasn’t a huge expense, it was a reminder to scrutinize every detail, even when you think you’ve secured a good deal. In retrospect, catching the VIN etching would have made it the best deal, but even with that, it was still a favorable outcome.
Looking back, my experience showed that while programs like the X-Plan offer a solid starting point, savvy buyers can often negotiate even further. The X-Plan is undoubtedly beneficial, generally providing pricing around invoice cost minus applicable rebates. However, my “aaa buy a car program review” now includes the caveat that strategic negotiation or even a bit of luck can lead to even better savings.
Despite the positive financial outcome, the classic “sleazy car salesman” tactics employed by both the salesperson and sales manager left a slightly sour taste. The staged phone calls were transparently disingenuous, and the VIN etching felt like a sneaky add-on. This experience underscored the importance of remaining vigilant and assertive throughout the car buying process.
I initially considered using their service department due to complimentary oil changes and tire rotations offered as part of the deal. However, the service quality proved to be disappointing, a story for another time perhaps. I have since found a different dealership that provides a much better service experience. Interestingly, this positive service experience might sway me to consider them for my next Ford purchase, highlighting that dealership experience extends beyond just the initial sale.
For anyone considering programs like the X-Plan, here are two crucial points to remember:
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No Documentation Fees: X-Plan terms explicitly prohibit dealers from charging any documentation fees. Ensure these fees are not included in your deal.
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Destination Charge Included: The X-Plan price already incorporates the destination charge. Dealers should not add this charge separately.
In conclusion, my “aaa buy a car program review” evolved from a simple expectation of X-Plan savings to a more nuanced understanding of car buying. While programs like the X-Plan provide a valuable framework, being informed, assertive, and willing to negotiate can lead to even better outcomes. Just be sure to watch out for those classic dealer tactics and always read the fine print!
